Gina Nespoli
Sep 11 2006 12:00AM
“I just didn’t understand,” Joan Disney, senior secretary for QEP, said.
She emotionally talks about her first reaction to hearing the news of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
“I was working in financial aid at the time and I remember someone came in and said that a plane had struck the twin towers in New York. Everyone was just aghast.”
While speaking, she re-lives the heartache of the event.
“At the time, it was inconceivable, you just don’t think something like that would ever happen.” She paused to grab a tissue. “I know that this is the reality of life. Denial and then acceptance.”
It was in the beginning of the semester and there were a lot of students in the financial aid department waiting to be helped.
“I remember sitting a student down in front of me and I just started to cry. She asked what was wrong, she hadn’t heard the news yet, and I told her. We both sat there crying, it was a hard day.
“You want to believe in your heart that people aren’t like that, you want to believe that everyone wants the best for all humans, not dependent on race, gender, political affiliation,” she paused, “and even religion.”
A convenient tissue stack, out of the box, was sitting on the corner of her desk. She continues to express her disbelief in the world today. “It’s sad when you wake up one day and 9/11 happens. What are we doing to each other?”
When asked if she had been to New York before or since Sept. 11 she said, “I grew up in New Jersey so when the news was talking about all the places, I knew exactly where they were. I haven’t been up to New York since, but I’m planning on taking a trip up there.” She paused. “It will be a very emotional trip.”
September 11, 2001, the affect this day had on the American people was astronomical. When asked how 9/11 has changed her life she said, “My theory, especially when you get older, is I’m going to live my life, be aware of my surroundings and at the same time enjoy it.” She finishes up with an upbeat, “Bring it on!”
